WordPress performance refers to how quickly and efficiently a WordPress site loads and responds to visitor requests, measured primarily through Core Web Vitals (LCP, INP, CLS), Time to First Byte (TTFB), and total page weight. Performance optimization for WordPress spans multiple layers: server-side (managed hosting with full-page caching and persistent object caching, PHP 8.x, sufficient memory limits), database (limiting post revisions, using object caching to reduce query frequency), asset delivery (minifying CSS and JavaScript, deferring non-critical scripts, serving WebP images, using a CDN for static assets), and code quality (removing unused plugins, dequeuing assets that aren't needed on specific pages). Even a one-second improvement in mobile page load time increases conversions by an average of 27% according to Google and Deloitte research, which makes performance optimization directly tied to business outcomes rather than just technical hygiene for its own sake.
Glossary entry
